Phonetics

The Great Consonant Shift of Romance Languages

Why does the Latin word for 'one hundred' (centum, 'kentum') sound so different in Italian (cento), French (cent), and Spanish…

4 months ago

The Source of the Nasal Twinge in French & Portuguese

What gives French and Portuguese their characteristic nasal sound? It’s not just a funny way of saying 'n' or 'm'—it's…

4 months ago

How to Whisper in a Tonal Language

Languages like Mandarin and Thai use pitch to distinguish words, so how can you possibly whisper? Speakers subconsciously use a…

4 months ago

The Glottal Stop: A Ghost in the Machine

It’s the subtle catch in your throat in the middle of "uh-oh" or the defining feature of a Cockney accent…

4 months ago

Recreating Ötzi the Iceman’s Voice

Scientists have peered into the life of Ötzi the Iceman, learning what he ate and how he died. Now, thanks…

4 months ago

The Sound That Changed Ancient Rome

How can a single sound shift the course of a civilization? This article explores Latin rhotacism, the fascinating process where…

4 months ago

The Science of Phonaesthetics

Why does "cellar door" sound so beautiful to English speakers, regardless of its meaning? This is the central question of…

4 months ago

The Rhythm of Speech: Stress-Timed vs. Syllable-Timed Languages

Ever wonder why English sounds rhythmically different from Spanish or Japanese? The answer lies in a fascinating linguistic concept: the…

4 months ago

The Language of Sensation: Exploring Ideophones

We all know onomatopoeia, but many languages have something far richer: ideophones. These "adverbs of the senses" don't just mimic…

4 months ago

The Linguistics of the Dialect Coach

Ever wonder how Meryl Streep becomes Polish or Idris Elba masters a Baltimore accent? It's not just mimicry; it's the…

4 months ago

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